The Best Make-Up Trends To Try For Summer 2021
Cover Stand out from the crowd in summer with these expert-approved make-up looks (Photo: Courtesy of Jacob Liu; @megumismakeup/Instagram)

Leading make-up artists Megumi Sekine and Karen Yiu share the best make-up looks to try for summer 2021, including glowing skin, graphic eyeliner, and more

Summer is officially here and it’s the perfect time to play around with cosmetics to celebrate the warm weather in style. After a year of quarantine skincare and minimal Zoom make-up, the new season beauty forecast calls for glowing skin and more natural, but gorgeous brow and eye styles. And hey—who doesn’t want to get glam for poolside parties and those lovely outdoor brunches?

Previously, we spoke to make-up professionals to learn how to lock in our make-up and keep it sweat-proof all summer long, and even sought expert advice from Mina Kim of Sulwhasoo on selecting the right beauty foundation in hot weather. And today, we're sharing insights from two experts, Megumi Sekine, a reputed Hong Kong-based make-up artist who has worked with A-list clients including Carina Lau and Paris Hilton; and Karen Yiu, founder and chief make-up artist at Makeupbees—to explain the best, hottest make-up trends for summer 2021.

Read on to find out which beauty looks will be huge this season, along with must-have products you’ll need to re-create each trend. 

See also: Chanel, Dior & Sulwhasoo: 13 Beauty Launches In July 2021

The perfect sun-kissed glow

This summer will be all about healthy, glowing sun-kissed skin with warm shades around the cheekbones, according to Sekine and Yiu. The key to the perfect beach glow without that dreaded shine on hot summer days, is to opt for lighter cover foundations to let the skin breathe, as well as quality blushes and bronzers to impart a hint of soft luminosity.

“Instead of heavy contours, the warmer season focuses on effortless beauty tricks,” says Sekine. Face masks will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, so this airy look is perfect for summertime when you’re hanging out seaside or lounging by the pool.  

See also: 5 New Fragrances Celebrating Summer: From Tom Ford To Gucci

“No-make-up” make-up look

The no-makeup make-up look will be big (as usual) in summer this year, and the trend is coming back with a stronger focus on embracing natural beauty—the skin you’re in. “People are ditching their heavy foundations and concealers in favour of showing off their natural skin,” says Yiu. “We’ll see a lot of complexion that’s not only matte or dewy this sweaty season, but with a natural, skin-like finish that’s always great for Hong Kong’s notoriously humid weather and mask wearing.”

To nail the natural look, she suggests using foundation with sheer, lightweight formulas and bringing out the facial features in a subtle way with curl lashes, rosy cheeks and glossy nude lips. A pop of blush on the natural skin with shiny lips pair so well with fluttery lashes—you might find yourself wearing this look on repeat all summer long.  

See also: Mina Kim, VP Of Sulwhasoo Shares Her Summer Beauty Foundation Tips For Youthful Skin

Brushed-up eyebrows

While thick, bold eyebrows will continue to be popular, brushed-up eyebrows are having a moment this summer. The trend is nothing new and has long been a favourite fixture in the fashion world, which works best with either ultra-natural make-up or a full-coverage look with a pop of lipstick and highlighter.

According to both Sekine and Yiu, sculpted arches will be taking a backseat this summer. To create perfectly brushed-up eyebrows, use a micro brow pencil to fill in the gaps in feather-light strokes to mimic your natural hairs and define the shape. Then, apply a setting gel to keep the brows in place and make them last all day long. This eyebrow style is guaranteed to brighten your appearance and make you look more youthful.

See also: Siti Saleha Introduces Her New Beauty Brand, Güzelim

Graphic eyeliner

Here’s another make-up idea any beauty enthusiasts will love: graphic eyeliner. Eye looks are going strong during these face mask-wearing times, and we’ll be seeing a lot of people being bolder and getting more creative with their looks than ever before. “Graphic liner is the perfect way to express your individuality and stand out from the crowd if you’re looking for something beyond the usual colourful eyeshadow shades,” says Yiu.

To take the trend even further and make the eyes truly the window to the soul, try using a playful eyeliner hue such as white or baby blue to create unique graphic shapes, Sekine suggests.  

See also: The Best Eye Creams To Combat Dark Circles

Glazed eye make-up

Nothing screams summertime than a glazed eye make-up look, which delivers just the right amount of glam to elevate your light coverage make-up during the warmer months. Looking simple yet gorgeous, just like this look created by Sekine, the trend is a must-try if you love shimmery shades and want to go the modern route beyond the usual powdered eyeshadow looks.

“This summer, there will be more variations of glazed eye make-up highlighting the natural skin trend,” Sekine predicts. To get the look, prep your skin with a hydrating primer or cream, then, apply gel or cream eyeshadows to achieve that beautiful glassy finish.

See also: Tinted Moisturisers For A Zoom-Ready Glow

Statement lips

Your pout is mostly hidden under a mask these days, but it’s still a good idea to give the lips a glorious pop, to ensure they look their best when the masks come off at those social-distanced parties. While nude lip colours are trending along with minimal make-up looks, we want you to try some vibrant hues, such as bold reds and lovely corals to go all out with your glam on summer holidays.

Pro tip: Exfoliate and moisturise your lips before applying your colour for a smooth finish. You should also look for long-lasting matte or high pigmented formulas to ensure the colour stay put all day under a face mask.  

See also: 6 Beauty Face Masks By Malaysian Brands For Glowing Skin

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